Charlotte Snook creates small oil paintings, rich with colour, composition and light. She is fascinated with art history and human nature, and combines her knowledge and insight with a free-roaming curiosity to create complex imaginative artworks. She takes Breugel, Poussin, Claude and 17th century Flemish art as a starting point for her paintings which can be as edgy as they are exquisite. Her art allows for the apocalyptic nature of the world. ‘They are concerned with a loss of paradise,’ Charlotte says. ‘It’s all about the painting: light, colour, contrast, the composition and brushstrokes. I try to set a narrative without there being one.’

This exhibition of paintings and drawings reflects Charlotte’s packed and varied year: she was asked to respond to the permanent collection of Hastings Museum and drew on the pastoral porcelain figures as well as the faces of Christian missionaries gazing out from early 20th century photographs. She painted landscapes and studio scenes in Verrocchio, Italy. Her work was included in Axis: London Milano alongside artists including the Chapman Brothers. She was invited to exhibit at Jerwood Gallery, Hastings as part of To Be Continued exhibition. The show reflects this: the imaginative sits alongside the observational.

Charlotte’s work has been included in the Jerwood Drawing Prize from 1995–99, the Hunting Prize and the Garrick/Milne Prize. Solo exhibitions include Rare Affairs at the Basement Gallery, Boise, Idaho (USA) and Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. Charlotte studied painting at Hornsey College of Art and the Royal College of Art. In her academic career she has taught part-time at art schools and universities throughout England, and from 2001–9 was Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication (Foundation) at Central Saint Martins.

About Sarah

Sarah works with artists including Jo Lamb, Julian Bell, Charlotte Snook, Nick Bodimeade, Julian Le Bas and Jane Hansford to curate group and solo exhibitions in venues in Lewes and London. She is also a consultant in the field of Sussex contemporary painters and, from time to time, curates exhibitions for collectors of 20th century art.

Can’t wait for an exhibition? A small selection of paintings can be seen at Fisher St. Frames, The Needlemakers (entrance in West Street), Lewes, BN7 2NZ (open Tuesdays to Saturdays). Or contact Sarah directly if you are looking for a particular artwork.